Cancer Sufferer Sky Dives Over Cornish Coast for National Charity

Published: August 17, 2017

After been diagnosed with cancer and living with the terrifying ordeal that it brings, Sandie Johns decided to tackle this devastating disease head on and in recognition of the tremendous support she receives during her treatment from both Treliske hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support, arranged a sky diving charity event with several close friends to demonstrate you can live life with cancer.

Sandie who worked as an Employability Development Co-ordinator at Cornwall College and who is undergoing continual treatment, came up with the idea as a pre-fundraising event prior to her ‘Black Tie & Heels’ Charity Dinner and Dance evening planned for October this year. Sandie posted the idea on Facebook and a team was formed the very next day.

Sandie said, “The Macmillan Organisation means a lot to each of us, either going through Cancer; have lost someone or knows someone going through Cancer and the amazing support that people receive from this organisation and the facilities and friendly advice given by The Cove, a purpose-built Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at Treliske is second to none”.

Following a 30 minute health and safety training briefing and then waiting for the weather reports to confirm conditions were right to commence their jumps, the day consisted of experienced instructors at CPC, trying to relax each jumper and to just enjoy the day.

Sandie continued, “The weather was glorious which made the views we had from 10,000 feet absolutely spectacular, we were able to see the whole coastline right down to Lands’ End one way and then up to and just beyond Padstow the other way. We had a great day, a lot of laughs, a lot of panicking too when it got nearer to each one’s turn, but we all supported each other and our friendships have become even stronger, the most frequent word used on the day ‘awesome’.

“At the moment the amount raised by the group is around £2,000 with donations still coming in, so our final total is expected to be around £3,000. We are very grateful to Ben Wood and the rest of the staff at CPC as they were fantastic. I’d like to thank all my friends who took the challenge on and helped to make it a great success and a fun day, here is to the next one”!